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Both teams have a won-one-lost-one record with The Sharks enjoying second-placed status on the log with the Pumas in second last position. But with 5 log points, they are still well in the hunt although at this stage of the competition, there is really little to separate the eight teams in the Premier Division of the Absa Currie Cup.
The Pumas beat the Leopards but lost to the Blue Bulls despite a strong rally late in the game, while The Sharks enjoyed a five-pointer over the Blue Bulls last Saturday at home and will look to continue the form that saw them score five tries and create numerous others.
Closing out opportunities is the plan for tomorrow night as accuracy of execution is what the coaches will be looking for in their charges.
Captain Stefan Terblanche will lead his team out for his 100th Absa Currie Cup match and 75th for The Sharks. With 179 caps for the men in Black and White, he leads the way as the most-capped player ever to play in the province with John Smit the next highest on 172 appearances. His professionalism means that his career is now into its 15th year and includes 37 Tests for the Springboks.
Since 2005, the teams have met just twice, The Sharks winning both matches. On the last occasion, The Sharks won 82-14 in Witbank and before that, 34-16 at home – both games being played in 2006.
The Sharks have been bolstered by the return from injury of Willem Alberts and his strong ball-carrying ability should be used to maximum effect. However, the burly loose-forward, selected on the bench, is the only change from the starting 22 that did such a fine job against the Blue Bulls last Saturday.
“I think it's important that I reward the team that did so well last week,” explains coach John Plumtree. “We've talked about the fact that if players front up, they have a great chance of being selected again and I thought everyone deserved to be re-selected this week; this was a game where everybody really stood up. That's the kind of environment I want to create, where there is healthy competition for places.
“We do have some guys returning from injury which is great news for us but they are going to have to work to get back into this team. Willem Alberts returns with a view to giving him some game time ahead of the match against the Cheetahs next week.”
Assistant coach Grant Bashford warns that after the Blue Bulls game, the trick is to earn a good win through sheer commitment and hard work. “We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves following the win on the weekend and the challenge for us is to get back to where we were last week.”
He agrees that it's a case of 'not fixing what ain't broke' when it comes to team selection and that good form has indeed been rewarded. This translates into healthy competition for places.
“The good thing about this team is that the guys playing are putting pressure on those outside the team and making it difficult for them to get back in. They're doing a job and making sure everyone has to fight hard for their positions.”
Jonathan Kaplan will be refereeing the match which kicks off at 7pm..
